2015 Hyundai Veloster Review

The current Hyundai Veloster is a hatchback that features a unique sporty asymmetrical design–one long door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side. Good thing it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to power it up, the Veloster is not just sporty on the looks, but in terms of performance as well. More importantly, it provides buyers a suite of excellent features and commendable fuel economy at a price that is lower than its rivals.

NEW FOR THE 2015 HYUNDAI VELOSTER

o The Veloster carries over with minimal upgrades for the new model year. These include the inclusion of the automatic climate control in the Technology package and 18-inch wheels in the Style package.

UNDER THE HOOD

At the base level, a 138 horsepower, 1.6-liter four cylinder engine powers up the new Hyundai Veloster. Buyers can team up the said engine either with a dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission, which both sends power to the front wheels. Although the base powertrain falls short on acceleration, it crunches strong fuel economy figures, with 27/37 mpg rating for manual and 28/37 for the dual clutch automatic.

For those looking to back up the Veloster’s sporty appearance with a sporty performance, the upgraded twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder is the engine to pick. Its 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque are powerful enough to drive the Veloster with much gusto. It even provides good mileage as seen from its EPA fuel economy estimates of 24/33 mpg and 28/36 mpg for manual and automatic, respectively.

ON THE ROAD

There are two main versions of the 2015 Hyundai Veloster and each offer a different kind of driving experience. The base Veloster model, with its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, provides a comfortable and quiet ride. Unfortunately, it does not meet the sporty performance that one would expect from such a sporty-looking ride, though it is still a good vehicle to drive on long highway hauls and weekend trips.

For those aiming to go at higher speeds, the Veloster Turbo is a better choice. It can run from 0-60 mph in about seven seconds or less and it does that without necessarily putting fuel economy on the line. To further enhance the Turbo’s power, it features stronger brakes. However, some test drivers are not particularly a fan of the vehicle’s electric power steering, as it tends to be weighty at times and delivers a low feedback.

Overall, the Veloster rides comfortably and does well on tight corners. It stays composed even when hitting broken or rough surfaces.

INSIDE THE 2015 HYUNDAI VELOSTER

The new Hyundai Veloster’s interior is as stylish as it is from the outside. It looks sporty and clean at the same time, with the dashboard holding the seven-inch touchscreen display and other controls on all the right places, while the materials further cement the upscale feel of the interior.

Up front, the seats offer enough legroom, though the panoramic roof slightly reduces the headroom. The height-adjustable seats are not only comfortable, but also make it easier even for taller drivers and passengers to slip and fit inside without difficulty.

As for the rear area, passengers will find this section cramped. It is alright for short trips, but not necessarily for longer hauls. In terms of storage, the Veloster offers several bins, nooks and cubbies, ideal for keeping smaller items organized. The cargo area behind the rear seats, on the other hand, is roomy but can be further expanded with the rear seats folded down.

Turbo: On top of the standard equipment of the base Veloster, the Turbo version gains the stronger turbocharged engine and improved steering, suspension and brakes. It also boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique front grille and fascia, projector headlamps with LED accents, chrome-tipped dual exhaust, body color heated power mirrors, rear LED taillights, rear diffuser, heated leather seats, proximity key with push-button start, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and a 450-watt audio system.

An optional Ultimate Package can be had for the Turbo trim. This bundles a panoramic sunroof, navigation system and climate control. A matte paint finish is also offered for this version of the Veloster.

The R-Spec version of the Turbo Veloster has most of the elements found in the Turbo trim. It then adds 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, premium leatherette/cloth seating and R-spec floor mat. However, the R-Spec Turbo version forgoes some features available to the Turbo trim, such as the proximity key, push-button start, side-mirror turn signals and electroluminescent instrument cluster.

Re:Flex: The special edition Re:Flex Veloster model enjoys most of the elements found in the base model’s Style package, such as leather seats and black interior accents. It also features the exclusive Ice Pearl paint, 18-inch PVD chrome finish alloy wheel and eight-speaker 450-watt Dimension audio system with 8-inch subwoofer. Standard to this special edition model is the dual-clutch transmission.